AASU blackens effigies of its own former icon

Guwahati, Oct 14 (UNI) The All Assam Student Union (AASU) today lashed out at its own icon former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, when they blackened his effigies, protesting his return to the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).

''Mr Mahanta was responsible for non-implementation of the Assam Accord as well as masterminding extra-judicial killings in Assam,'' AASU advisor Dr Samujjal Kr Bhattacharya said. The AASU is observing statewide 'Betrayal Day' today.

The most widespread protests took place at Golaghat where Mr Mahanta rejoined the AGP on its foundation day along with all splinter groups of the AGP. The AASU unit of Golaghat set up 40 effigies of Mr Mahanta right next to the AGP convention and observed the 'Day of Betrayal'.

Mr Mahanta was in a reconciliatory mood, while his party colleauges ignored it, saying that they would not like any confrontation with the AASU, which they considered a national organisation aligned to the regional sentiments and political forces.

''We will avoid any confrontation with the AASU,'' AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary said.

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